NFL Playoff Scenarios: 12 Teams Who Will Vie for a Wild Card Spot

The NFL Playoffs are getting down to the nitty gritty with five games left to go. Almost all of the best teams in the NFL are facing big games down the stretch that will affect their seeding on the journey to this year's Super Bowl in Dallas, TX.

If you're in the AFC West or South or the NFC West you best win your division if you want to make the playoffs. Otherwise they're won't be any room at the inn.

The fact is there are going to be some very good teams going on the road the first week of the playoffs this year.

It is possible a team with the best record in the entire NFL, say the Jets or the Patriots if they end up tied atop the AFC East, will be playing as a Wild Card that first week. Meanwhile the NFC West may give the NFL their first sub-.500 playoff team. Won't that be an interesting development. 

With that in mind, let us take a look at 12 teams still in the Wild Card hunt in each league. 

1. New England Patriots

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots congratulates teammate Wes Welker #83 after a fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeate

I know, I know.

Why have a team with the best record in an article on Wild Card teams?

Because unfortunately for some of the best teams in the league they are stuck in a division with the other best teams. In this case the New York Jets. One teams is going to win the East and the other is going to have to go on the road the first weekend even if they end up tied with the second best record in football.

This week's showdown with the Jets is critical if the Pats want to their division.

They lost their first game with New York in the second week of the season and if they lose this weekend they will essentially go two games down to the Jets since New York will own the tiebreaker. 

2. New York Jets

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the New York Jets looks to throw a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals at New Meadowlands Stadium on November 25, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets defeated the Bengal 26-10.

Read the first slide.

The same story is true for the Jets.

The only difference is if they end up tied the Jets loss to Green Bay will help them in any tiebreaker scenario if it comes down to conference losses. But the fact remains, one of these two teams is going to have to go on the road during the first weekend while the other one most likely will be home resting.

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws with protection from Maurkice Pouncey #53 and Chris Kemoteatu #68 against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in O

The Steelers and the Ravens have a similar situation to the Jets and the Patriots. They are tied on top of the AFC North with Baltimore and they will also face off this coming weekend.

The main difference is that the Steelers face a tough remaining schedule with a game with the Jets and the resurgent Cleveland Browns also on their schedule.

4. Baltimore Ravens

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens cheers on his team during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Buccaneers 17-10. (

The Ravens are also one of the best teams in the league.

They also might have to go on the road the opening weekend of the playoffs. A win at home this weekend will also give them basically a two game advantage over the Steelers. They'll probably need it, with games against the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns remaining on their schedule. 

5. Kansas City Chiefs

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DENVER - NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Todd Haley of the Kansas City Chiefs questions a call as they face the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on November 14, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Chiefs 49-29. (Photo by Doug Pensinge

Other than their showdown in two weeks with the surging San Diego Chargers for first place in the AFC West the Chiefs have a very easy schedule the rest of the way. And other than a blowout loss at Denver they've played well all season.

Todd Haley is one of the brightest young coaches around and Matt Cassell is starting to come into his own. If they don't win the AFC West they have an outside chance of taking a Wild Card Spot away from one either the Ravens or the Steelers.

6. Atlanta Falcons

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 28: Thomas DeCoud #28 of the Atlanta Falcons enters the field during player introductions before facing the Green Bay Packers at Georgia Dome on November 28, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Just like in the AFC the best teams are in the same division. Atlanta is tied with New England and New York with the best record in football, but the defending Super Bowl Champs are only one game back and Tampa Bay is two games back.

Atlanta will have to play both of those teams in the remaining weeks. On the other hand their other remaining games are two against the Carolina Panthers and one against the Seahawks.

With steady Matt Ryan at the helm they should easily make the playoffs but they will probably need to win one of their games with Tampa or New Orleans to clinch the division.  

7. New Orleans Saints

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 25: Tracy Porter #22 and Jonathan Vilma #51 of the New Orleans Saints tackle Jason Whitten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on November 25, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The defending champs have been on a tear of late with their defense playing as well as the offense.

They should win the next two against Cincinatti and St. Louis before facing the gauntlet. A tough interconferance match-up with Baltimore followed by season ending showdowns with NFC South rivals Atlanta and Tampa Bay. Winning the division will be tough and a Wild Card berth might be the best the Saints can hope for. 

8. Chicago Bears

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears yells at a referee, earning an unsportsman-like conduct penalty, against of the Philadelphia Eagles at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26.

There is no rest for the weary when it comes to the NFL. The Bears are coming off a resounding success against the Philadelphia Eagles and are now in first place. Next week they should win easily against the Detroit Lions.

Then they will be treated to games with New England, the New York Jets and road games with division rivals Minnesota and Green Bay. Quite simply one of the most difficult schedules remaining in the NFL. Good thing that offensive line has come together. Otherwise we'd have to take out life insurance on Jay Cutler.  

9. Green Bay Packers

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Brandon Jackson #32 of the Green Bay Packers is kept from scoring by Chris Cook #31 of the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

That was a tough loss to the Falcons this last weekend. The kind of loss that can break a team late in the season. Fortunately for the Packers they've learned from adversity over the years.

And they've got San Francisco and Detroit on the schedule the next two weeks.

That is as close to cupcakeville as you'll get on an NFL schedule. After that they have to face the Giants and the Patriots before closing out at home with the division leading Chicago Bears in what could be a make or break game.  

10. New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 28: New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin throws the red challenge flag in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars on November 28, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by

Could this be the year we go Manning-less in the playoffs. It's hard to say, but baby brother Eli might have the easier path into the playoffs at this point.

The Giants have a relatively easy schedule with two games against the imploding Washington Redskins (wonder which Hall of Fame coach will get that job next), at Minnesota, at home against the Eagles and on the road against Green Bay.

At least they control their own destiny.

11. Philadelphia Eagles

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 28: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs for yardage against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 28, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Eagles 31-26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Last week they were proclaiming the Eagles as the best team in the NFC. Now they're fighting for their playoff life.

Such is the NFL. The big problem is that Chicago showed teams how to beat Michael Vick. Something other teams seemed to have forgotten since Mike was last in the league. Simply make him stay in the pocket and put pressure on him. Of course that is a lot easier when you have a front seven like the Bears do.  

At least they have a favorable schedule the rest of the way.

Two with the Cowboys, Houston, Minnesota and a showdown on the road with the Giants most likely for first place in two weeks. 

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 21: Josh Freeman #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park on November 21, 2010 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

If Michael Vick wasn't hogging all the limelight in NFC people would be raving about Josh Freeman's breakthrough year.

The former K-State Wildcat has grown into a legitimate NFL starting quarterback. Freeman has been overlooked and so have the Bucs who have a legitimate chance to make the playoffs if they can win their remaining games with NFC South rivals New Orleans and Atlanta.

Tough, but not impossible.